Till my body's just a shell
When that evenin' train goes by
I got in trouble, had to roam
I went and broke my darling's heart
I left my gal an' left my home
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
All alone I bear the shame
They took me off the Georgia Main
I'll never see that gal of mine
I guess I was too young to know
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
I'll be locked here in this cell
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
Just a kid, actin' smart
I'm in Georgia, doin' time
An' my hair turns whiter than snow
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
I'm a number, not a name
Locked me to a ball and chain
All I do is sit an' cry